A burst of early morning chaos in Benin ended Sunday with the government declaring that a coup attempt had been thwarted after a small group of soldiers briefly seized state television and announced they had toppled President Patrice Talon.
At dawn, soldiers identifying themselves as the Military Committee for Refoundation appeared on national television and claimed they had removed Talon from office, dissolved state institutions, suspended the constitution and closed the country’s borders. The group named Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri as its leader.
But by mid-morning, the government said loyal security forces had regained control. Interior Minister Alassane Seidou appeared in a video message urging citizens to remain calm and resume normal activities. He said the coup attempt had been contained and that the mutineers’ influence had been limited to the national broadcaster.
The status of Talon remained unclear, although authorities gave no indication that he had been harmed. Gunfire was reported in parts of Cotonou, including areas near the presidential residence, prompting embassies to warn their nationals to stay indoors. Calm gradually returned later in the day.
The attempted takeover adds to growing regional instability as West Africa continues to face a string of military coups and political crises. Long considered one of the region’s more stable democracies, Benin has faced increasing political tension in recent years following constitutional changes and disputed reforms.